After trading up one spot to land Alabama running back Trent Richardson, the Cleveland Browns selected Oklahoma State quarterback Brandon Weeden with the 22nd pick in the NFL Draft Thursday night.

“I was hoping that this would happen,” Weeden said from his home in Oklahoma. “This night went just as I hoped.”

A two-year starter, Weeden walked on at Oklahoma State after he was drafted by the Yankees in the second round of the 2002 draft. He played minor league baseball for five seasons.

“I’m gonna come in and compete,” Weeden said. “That’s just my nature. I want to come in and give it all I have to be the best player I can.”

The 28-year old quarterback, who turns 29 on October 15th, will likely become the Browns starter immediately.

“When you’re talking about a quarterback, we just didn’t think it was worth taking a risk,” Heckert said. “There were some teams interested behind us.

“Eventually he’s gonna be a starter for us. That’s why we drafted him.”

At 28 years, 195 days, Weeden is the oldest player to be drafted in the common draft era according to the Elias Sports Bureau.

“My body is still fresh,” Weeden said. “Taking the time off to play baseball and not getting hit as much as a lot of people at Oklahoma State, I stayed healthy. I think I am still continuing to grow and become a better player. You guys know me, it is tough to play 15 years in this league.

“You have got to continue to work and my body is fresh so I feel like I have got a lot of football left.”

Weeden completed 327-of-531 passes (61.6 percent) for 3,744 yards and 29 touchdowns with 15 interceptions last season while leading the Cowboys to an 11-1 record.

He’ll try to bring those winning ways with him to Cleveland.

“There is already enough pressure playing in the NFL, you can’t put any added pressure,” Weeden said. “I am not going to put any extra pressure on myself. I understand the responsibilities that go with it. I can promise you one thing, I am going to do everything in my power to become a better player and win as many games as possible.”

The last time the Browns had multiple picks in the first round – ironically No.’s 3 and 22, they selected Joe Thomas and then traded up to select Brady Quinn in 2007.

Weeden along with Richardson will be expected to transform one of the worst offenses in franchise history into a dominant force in the NFL.